Torino coach Novellino "didn't expect" sacking

Walter Novellino admits he was surprised by Torino's decision to sack him on Tuesday night.

With nine games remaining in the season and the Granata in the drop zone, Toro dismissed the coach and appointed Giancarlo Camolese as his replacement.

"I honestly didn't expect this," said Novellino. "I had faith that we could have come out of this situation."

"I had the support of the players and in the past few months I have managed to bring unity in the group."

Novellino was only appointed in December but Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Sampdoria, the club he once coached, marked Torino's third consecutive loss and left them two points from safety.

The Granata have won just once in their last 12 games but ended a month-long goal drought on Sunday.

Camolese, 48, has returned to lead the club he guided for two seasons from 2000.

The former Torino player guided the outfit to promotion to Italy's top flight in 2001 and then helped them escape relegation a year later. Torino eventually sacked him in October 2003 after a string of poor results.